9 Early Signs of Diabetes

Get familiar because Type 2 diabetes can strike at any age.

The Sugar - When you think of diabetes, you probably think of your great uncle who wears compression socks and isn’t allowed to drink sweet tea. But Type 2 diabetes can strike at any age and is increasingly showing up in young adults and even children, and the American Diabetes Association estimates that there are 7 million undiagnosed diabetics roaming around the United States. So this American Diabetes Month, take a moment to get familiar with the symptoms. They are often subtle, but if you have two or more of them, it’s time to call your doctor. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel  (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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The Sugar - When you think of diabetes, you probably think of your great uncle who wears compression socks and isn’t allowed to drink sweet tea. But Type 2 diabetes can strike at any age and is increasingly showing up in young adults and even children, and the American Diabetes Association estimates that there are 7 million undiagnosed diabetics roaming around the United States. So this American Diabetes Month, take a moment to get familiar with the symptoms. They are often subtle, but if you have two or more of them, it’s time to call your doctor. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel  (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Frequent Potty Runs - If you have to leave your desk to pee again, you’re going to scream. Your coworkers are even starting to clown your “tiny bladder.” It happens because excess sugar builds up in your blood, which forces your kidneys to put in longer hours. When your kidneys get behind on their workload — and they will get behind — the extra sugar grabs fluids from your tissues and surfs to your bladder, which sends you to the bathroom more frequently.   (Photo: qualitygurus/GettyImages)

Could You Be Any Thirstier? - If feels like the Sahara Desert has taken up residence in your mouth. No matter how much you drink, your body calls for more agua. Blame the peeing: it makes you dehydrated, so you end up needing to down more water which makes you pee more. Hello, vicious cycle. (Photo: Marnie Burkhart/Corbis)

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Could You Be Any Thirstier? - If feels like the Sahara Desert has taken up residence in your mouth. No matter how much you drink, your body calls for more agua. Blame the peeing: it makes you dehydrated, so you end up needing to down more water which makes you pee more. Hello, vicious cycle. (Photo: Marnie Burkhart/Corbis)

Back Comfort  - Sleeping on your back is the best way to ensure you aren’t putting a lot of weight onto your breasts while trying to get a good night's rest.   (Photo: Heide Benser/Corbis)

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You Are Just. So. Tired. - You normally function just fine on seven hours of sleep, but these days you can fall asleep on Scandal and still be exhausted the next day. Between the dehydration and your body working extra hard to process all that sugar, it just gets worn out, and the result is that you feel pooped. (Photo: Heide Benser/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: Heide Benser/Corbis

Healthy Eyelashes  - The quality of your lashes is usually dependent on which type of pillowcase you choose to sleep on. As with the hair on your head, a cotton pillowcase can be drying to your eyelashes, leaving them bent or flat. A satin pillowcase helps preserve their quality by maintaining crucial moisture.  (Photo: Bernd Vogel/Corbis)

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Blurred Vision Much? - Whether you wear glasses already or not, your vision has taken a turn for the worse. High blood sugar draws fluids from your tissues, including the lenses of your eyes. That impacts your ability to focus. (Photo: Bernd Vogel/Corbis)

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Myth 6: Having an Abortion Raises Your Risk of Breast Cancer - While the anti-choice movement will spread this lie, it just isn’t true. There is no reputable data that shows a connection between ending a pregnancy and your risk for breast cancer. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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You Have Yet Another Bladder Infection - Elevated blood sugar is linked to a decreased ability to fight infection. In women, that often manifests in a spike in bladder and vaginal infections.  (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

You’re Starving! - You had breakfast. And a mid-morning snack. And another mid-morning snack. And a massive lunch. Yet you are still famished. Why? All those potty breaks not only expel sugar from your body, but they rob you of calories, too, so you’re eating to replace them. And diabetes can also keep sugar from reaching your cells, which makes you feel ravenous.  (Photo: Hill Street Studios/Blend Images/Corbis)

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You’re Starving! - You had breakfast. And a mid-morning snack. And another mid-morning snack. And a massive lunch. Yet you are still famished. Why? All those potty breaks not only expel sugar from your body, but they rob you of calories, too, so you’re eating to replace them. And diabetes can also keep sugar from reaching your cells, which makes you feel ravenous.  (Photo: Hill Street Studios/Blend Images/Corbis)

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You’re Losing Weight — Without Trying - You normally have to work hard to drop a few pounds, but lately, you’re disappearing. It’s that darn sugar leaving your body, calories in tow.   (Photo: Getty Images)

You Feel All Tingly - ...And not in a good way. Your hands and your feet are constantly on pins and needles and sometimes even go completely numb. That’s a sign that the excess sugar is damaging your nerves. (Photo: Jim Arbogast/Getty Images)

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You Feel All Tingly - ...And not in a good way. Your hands and your feet are constantly on pins and needles and sometimes even go completely numb. That’s a sign that the excess sugar is damaging your nerves. (Photo: Jim Arbogast/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Jim Arbogast/Getty Images

Emergency Kit - Minor emergencies are inevitable — use a small Ziplock bag to hold a few things you might need in a pinch: A tiny first aid kit with bandages and antibacterial ointment, a backup set of clothing per kid, a small (quiet) toy she's never seen before in case she needs to be calmed after a meltdown, a couple of ponytail holders in the event humidity picks a fight with your little one's hair, and $20 cash in case your debit card is demagnetized or your wallet is stolen. (Photo: blackred/Getty Images)

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That Cut Is Taking Forever to Heal - You cut your hand chopping veggies for dinner a couple weeks ago, but it still hurts. High blood sugar impedes your body’s ability to heal itself.  (Photo: blackred/Getty Images)